Tax and thresholds
Use these first if your main question is SDLT, LBTT, LTT or first-time-buyer treatment.
Resource Library
UK home-buying guides
Detailed, practical guidance on SDLT, LBTT, LTT, legal fees and completion planning. Built for real UK buying decisions, not generic checklists.
Fees and execution
Use these for solicitor, survey, mortgage and completion-stage workflow planning.
Decision quality
Cross-check each guide with calculator scenarios so you can set an offer ceiling with confidence.
What Is Stamp Duty?
A clear UK guide to SDLT, LBTT and LTT, including how tax slices work and why headline rates can mislead buyers.
Updated: 2026-02-17
When Do You Pay Stamp Duty? (30 Days After Completion)
Stamp duty must be paid within 30 days of completing your property purchase. Your solicitor files the SDLT return and collects payment. Here is what to know about timing, filing and what happens if you miss the deadline.
Updated: 2026-02-17
First-Time Buyer Relief Explained
Eligibility, thresholds and practical checks for first-time buyer relief in England and Northern Ireland.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Second-Home Stamp Duty Surcharge
How additional-property tax treatment works, when it applies, and what it does to all-in purchase costs.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Replacing Your Main Residence and Refunds
Rules and timelines for main-residence replacement and surcharge refund routes, explained in practical terms.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Typical Conveyancing Fees UK: £1,200–£2,500 Including Disbursements
UK conveyancing fees explained: solicitor fee £800–£1,800, disbursements £300–£700, total £1,200–£2,500 for a freehold purchase. Leasehold adds £200–£500. Includes Land Registry, searches and what to compare.
Updated: 2026-03-20
House Survey Costs Explained
Survey levels, common price ranges and decision factors for buyers who want to reduce costly surprises later.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Mortgage Fees Explained
Product fees, valuation costs and arrangement choices that can change true borrowing cost at completion.
Updated: 2026-02-17
How Much Cash Do I Need to Buy?
A practical framework for estimating total upfront cash needed: deposit, tax, legal fees, surveys and contingency.
Updated: 2026-02-17
LBTT Scotland Explained
Scottish LBTT bands and additional dwelling supplement explained with buyer-focused examples.
Updated: 2026-02-17
LTT Wales Explained
Welsh LTT rates and higher-rate treatment explained for owner-occupiers, movers and additional-property buyers.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Home-Buying Costs Checklist
A step-by-step checklist for budgeting, evidence gathering and completion readiness across UK purchase journeys.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Shared Ownership Stamp Duty Basics
How shared ownership can affect stamp duty treatment and what to check before relying on initial estimates.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Non-UK Resident SDLT Surcharge
An explainer on non-UK resident SDLT surcharge rules and how cross-border circumstances can affect budgeting.
Updated: 2026-02-17
New-Build Buying Costs in the UK
A dedicated guide to budgeting new-build purchases, including reservation timing, extras and completion risk points.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Downsizing and Moving Costs in the UK
Practical advice for downsizers comparing sale proceeds, purchase tax and transaction costs before committing.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Bridging Finance and Completion Costs
Understand where bridging finance can increase purchase costs and how to stress-test completion budgets safely.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Stamp Duty on £300,000 (UK Guide)
A threshold-focused guide to what changes around a £300,000 purchase across SDLT, LBTT and LTT scenarios.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Stamp Duty on £500,000 (UK Guide)
A practical UK guide to tax and all-in costs around the £500,000 level, including buyer-type sensitivity.
Updated: 2026-02-17
First-Time Buyer Thresholds: £425k and £625k
A clear guide to how first-time buyer assumptions can change around £425,000 and £625,000 decision points.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Stamp Duty on £250,000 (UK Guide)
A practical guide to stamp duty and all-in completion costs around a £250,000 purchase.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Stamp Duty on £750,000 (UK Guide)
A high-value threshold guide for £750,000 purchases across SDLT, LBTT and LTT scenarios.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Second-Home Tax on £500,000 (UK Guide)
How additional-property treatment can affect £500,000 purchases and all-in completion costs.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Moving-Home Costs on £400,000 (UK Guide)
A practical £400,000 moving-home guide covering tax, fees and scenario checks before exchange.
Updated: 2026-02-17
First-Time Buyer on £350,000 (UK Guide)
A focused first-time buyer guide for £350,000 offers, with threshold-aware scenario planning.
Updated: 2026-02-17